How to test your smoke detector battery

This one is a super simple challenge. Get a ladder or a chair so you can reach your smoke detector. On the smoke detector there is a test button. Press that button and your smoke detector should make a horrible sound to let you know that the battery isn’t working. If you don’t hear anything, you should change the battery. To change the battery just twist the smoke detector to remove it from the ceiling, and then swap out the battery. This is a quick chore that you can add to your other chores that need to be checked monthly like your ac filter. You should have a smoke detector in every bedroom, outside of every sleeping area, and on each level of the house.

Installing a battery operated smoke detector

If you don’t have enough smoke detectors, they aren’t too difficult to install. You can buy one for around five dollars at your local big box store. The best place to Install them is usually at the centerline of the doorway on the ceiling u no further than five feet from the door but no closer than twelve inches from the doorway. Check the instructions that come with your detector for all the specifics.

Here is generally how a battery operated non-hardwired smoke detector is installed:

• Place the mounting base on the wall or ceiling and mark where the two screws need to go
• Use the recommended size drill bit to drill a hole on each mark
• Tap the plastic wall anchor into the wall or ceiling with a hammer
• Line up the mounting base and screw the screws in
• Put a battery in the smoke detector and push the test button to make sure it works
• Twist the smoke detector onto the mounting base

Your turn.

Test the battery on your smoke detector. If you don’t have a smoke detector, talk to your parents about installing one. Don’t forget to take pics and post on social media so you can be entered into the gift card drawing! Testing the battery is worth one entry, and installing a smoke detector is worth an additional two entries. See FAQs for details.

If you would like a printable of this challenge, you can find it here.

Have you missed any of the previous challenges? If so, you can find them here.